There's a lot going on in your post...but I'll let others comment on the choice of potting mix and the lack of drainage in certain containers.

Yes, your Port. afra is drying out. I water mine once a week or so during the Winter.

Josh

And I forget to add, do not water your plants with a straw anymore. It might work to maintain moisture during the winter, but when Spring arrives and if you continue to water in sips.. Your plants will all eventually dry out from heat and excess minerals in the soil.

Roots grow deep, and watering in sips like using a straw only keep the top layer of soil moist, not the roots underneath. You either have to change your watering habit or change the way the soil and how your plants are potted.

Hi Josh, greenman28 NorCal 7b/8a

How much water do you water yours? is it possible if you could post a video how do you water your succulents especially your portulacaria afra plant? I need to follow the one that you do it.

Thanks for replying and helping me!

Hi Bernard: bernardyjh(Zone 7)

Thank you for responding me back.

1) This is my soil mix ingredients that i bought it from Amazon. I used a bag of soil, 3 cups of sand and 2 cup of perlite and i mixed them together.

Sand:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000QGNUVY?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00

soil:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006MY5KJO?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s01

Perlite:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GTDI6YO?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00

2) The lithops in the corner has their own pot. I planted a small pot inside my rectangular pot so they water don't touch them. Do these plants also need water them deeply same like the others during the winter time like once a month?bI only watered once last month with few drops of water with a straw and I have not watered my lithops since then.

3) My apartment has a lot direct sunlight during the summer but it does not have direct sunlight on my windows in the winter. It only has bright light. I need to find a way for them to get direct sunlight now :(

Thanks Bernard, NOW, I have to water my plants deeply through the drainage holes now. Maybe, my friends told me to use the straw to water my plants only for my terrarium.

if i see a plant who has wrinkled, it means they are thirsty.

Do you have succulents plants at your home? could you make a video and share with me how do you water your succulents?

Thanks Bernard. You saved my plants! :)

Danny

Lots of good advice above!

There is one thread I really enjoy that involves growing several types of succulents, including Pleiospilos (similar to Lithops) in a community pot: [Lithops, Haworthia, Fenestraria by Bouldergrower[(https://www.houzz.com/discussions/lithops-hawthoria-fenestraria-and-pleiospilos-dsvw-vd~1781028)

It includes discussion about dealing with watering, soil type, planting them, and general care are included there. It's a bit of a story with different lessons learned along the way.

The most important aspect is watching each plant carefully and adapt your care accordingly. As Bernard already suggested, if you are able to (identify and) group plants with similar care that will make it easier to manage as well.

May have already been suggested by others I share the common suggestion that each pot house one different plant per pot ( exceptions are the same lithops can share a single pot

With out to much talking about pots Each pot will need some form of drainage and be of a relative size for developing the growth you want , size shape and materials of pots can be something for you to explore .

Your soil links are basically okay to use for but as you read more into soils for & as your time and investment into succulents becomes bigger you may want to consider better options for soil materials.

A bit higher end but may be worth the investment for you especially if you get the any type of plant in a pot cultivating bug ( succulents included)

http://www.amazon.com/4pc-Soil-Sieve-diameter-Interchangeable/dp/B0007P4JAU/ref=sr_1_1?s=lawn-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1452090931&sr=1-1&keywords=soil+sifting+screen

Yes there are sifters that can fit the bidding at wally world yet for some of us here compromising is something to be considered.

Compromising;

You may want to shop in a hydroponics store for super chunk sized perlite to replace http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GTDI6YO?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00

Chances are you may even find some type of pumice at a hydo shop, a bit pricey but if so grab a bag of it

It's being suggested that you spend time in developing a made by you ( custom made ) soil for succulents. There are several forms of succulent soils though out the C&S forum yet fast sharp drainage seems to be the key

As suggested start with a basic mix formed from some of the items you already have on hand by sifting and rinsing some of the items you already have on hand as to how and what do you do isn't mentioned

I wouldn't ( and wont) suggest the sand be used with out a sifting and rinsing and a pic view of it after sifting for opinions ( I've never used it or have seen it sifted ) which can be easily replaced with sifted construction sand found at home depot or lowes http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GTDI6YO?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00

Sift all the three items as follows for a better mix:

Apx 35 % sand from the link or after pic of yours on hand Apx 30 % of the bagged soil on hand and the remaining % be perlite Using the apx mix % is for each per pot not the over all % amount of each bag.

The pot preference for most here is terracotta pots as they provide a breathable surfaces but plastic can also be used. What I do is make enough mix for several pots at a time then fill each pot then re-sift/ remix the soil back into the pot while potting in a plant.

Some re-potted in the newer soil mix and draining pots will need a dryer soil> ( Example the lithops ) It might be suggested to let them pots dry for a day or two before re-potting and some will be okay to pot in a damper soil ( example your P afra.)

PS. Use some ethics please chances are you wont overwhelm yourself and not overwhelm your plant(s). If you have questions feel free to ask on this ( your) thread. Feel free to read them but please don't ask your questions on another persons plant with problems threads As you get use to your new plant growing hobby ( thats an art for others) you found you may find a need to ask about a particular plant on a different topic feel free to start a new topic ( thread).

Example; It would be considered ( maybe) rude of me to post a comment asking for advice on your thread.

A small example of me being rude; What should I do so the vine will reach the side stick on this un-ordinary onion?

Bowiea volubilis ; you need to concider is that rude can often end up in a very winding vine in a very messy wig

Nomen, I think we are on the same page about being patient and not re-post the same question on other people's thread, eventually someone will respond.

On a side note, I didn't know that the bulb plant have such twisty vines.. Mine's more frumpy and fray.

Danny, alot to digest here. As mentioned, a picture of your soil will be nice, not re-direct us to the components you bought. You did say that you used a bag of soil and only mixed in 3 cups of sand and 1 cup of perlite. Let's say a bag of soil is 20 cups, your sand and perlite ratio is too little! A right way would be to take a bag or pot like nomen mentioned, pour in a cup of each component - this way you get equal parts soil/sand/perlite. To increase the ratio, just simple add more cups of the component you want to modify. I agree with nomen that you might want to stay away from those type of sand, it's not ideals for roots and aeration. You want some room for air and water to flow through the roots, not compact them with dense sand or soil.

In regards on "How to Water" your plants. There is no definitely answer, I personally take them to the sink, water until I see it comes out through the drainage holes, shake the pot a little to make sure no excess water sits in the bottom. Until dry, I put the plant back to its spot.

The main reason why we put so much emphasis on your soil is because your soil should empower you to water freely but with control, not to make you afraid of watering because of its water retention capabilities. Like I said, your plants will do fine with sips of water through winter, it's cold, light is low, some of your plants will go into dormant state and they will be fine until Spring/Summer when the heat returns. Take some time, learn about what soil works for you, and how to cater to each plant.

Why I suggested to pot your plants individually is because it's so much easier cope and study your plants needs, it also provides you better control, as when the pot is small, the soil dries faster.

I think you posted in Boulder's thread and he gave you a really good advise. Water deeply, but only when dry. Stick a finger into the soil, or a stick to make sure it's dry before you water again. If you keep your plants wet throughout, it will eventually die with rot.

Here's some good thread about gritty mix, when most people use here for their plants - and some discussion over perched water.

http://forums.gardenweb.com/discussions/1845045/succulent-grower-in-the-tropics-needs-help-with-gritty-mix

http://forums.gardenweb.com/discussions/1850590/fascinating-soil-discussion-on-the-houseplants-forum?n=7

We recently also discussed with a new member on how to provide more supplemental lights to help your plants cope through winter. (it's winter, we know sunlight is scarce) You still haven't tell us what direction your windows are facing?

http://forums.gardenweb.com/discussions/3532899/two-ids?n=72

My final advise to you, all plants in the terraniums must come out and go into individual pots. Especially your moon cactus.. if the green part dies, the red plant dies along with it too.

I think kevin gave you some good readings on Lithops.. It's your personal preference if you want to keep them in the shared pot. I personally have quite a bit more to learn about them. Nonetheless they are so of my favorite plants that I grow, keeps me on my toes..

Happy Growing!

Bernard